The Snake Alley Criterium in Burlington, Iowa is no ordinary bike race—it’s a pulse-pounding ride through one of the steepest, most winding streets in America. Every lap is a contest against gravity and your own resolve, as racers push through sharp turns and drastic elevation shifts on a historic stretch of pavement known simply as Snake Alley.

This criterium navigates a 0.4-mile loop packed with six tight corners and an elevation climb of around 58 feet, packed into a quarter mile of narrow, brick-lined roadway. The alley itself challenges every rider’s skill and endurance, with corners that practically force your tires to grip the cobblestones and an incline that dares you to keep pedaling even when your legs scream for relief.

Set in the heart of Burlington, Snake Alley rises fiercely between Columbia Terrace and Summit streets. The race loops through the alley multiple times, rewarding precision over brute force. While racers flatten out on the straighter sections, the alley’s steep grades and hairpin bends demand careful technique and confidence working through its slope - a physical puzzle that’s both brutal and brilliant.

Snake Alley’s brick and limestone surface might seem old-school, but it adds character—grit under your wheels that whispers stories of past riders who have bent every spoke and muscle here. The course’s confined nature packs intensity, funneling crowds closely to the action, and letting cheers ripple off the brick walls like echoes of challenge.

For spectators or racers planning a visit, bring sturdy shoes and prepare for rapid weather changes—Burlington’s river breeze can push cool air through the streets even in summer. Hydration is key on race day: the effort required wrestling the alley’s slope demands more than just short bursts of energy.

Timing your arrival around early morning or late afternoon offers the best light for viewing and photographing the event, while quieter hours let you absorb the alley’s legacy more intimately. Beyond the adrenaline, Snake Alley offers a peek into Burlington’s unique blend of history, community, and sheer athletic grit—qualities that sharpen every race and walk through this famously crooked street.

Mapping out your trip should include accommodations in Burlington, close to the action, with easy access to local eats where you can refuel with simple Midwestern fare. This event is best approached with respect for the course’s fierce character—it doesn’t yield to weakness or unpreparedness. But for those willing to meet it head on, Snake Alley is an adventure that lingers far beyond the final lap.